Ways To Prevent The Need For Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical therapy to relieve back pain that involves being strapped to a specially designed, computer controlled table to have your spine stretched in minute increments to relieve pressure on compressed discs. The therapy alternates periods of relaxation with periods of spine stretching, officially referred to as distraction.

This type of therapy can become a necessity for those who have injured their backs and prefer a less invasive solution to the pain that what surgery offers.

Generally those who need or seek this type of therapy are people who have sciatica, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, pinched nerves and bulging discs which can often be caused by bad posture, repetitive stress, acute injury or bad body mechanics.

There's not much anyone can do about acute injury, but some of the other causes can be controlled to reduce the chance of any type of spinal treatment.

Posture

Proper posture can mean the difference between a strong and healthy back and one that's injured and requires treatment just so you can function during your daily tasks. One point many don't realize about good postures is that it should always be moving a little bit. It's when your posture isn't moving that pain and injury are waiting to happen. And this pain and injury is too often avoidable and self afflicted.

The goal is to work with the natural gentle s-curve of the spine. In its natural s-curve position, the spine is like a spring mount and can handle quite a bit of strain. But if it's moved out of its s-curve, strain and injury can be magnified.

To make sure you keep your spine in its natural s-curve position, always make sure the small of your back and lumbar region form a slight hollow. As you go up the spine, it should produce a convex area between the shoulder blades.

One way to make sure you keep the s-curve is to keep the muscles strong. If some muscles are weakened, the stronger ones will try to compensate which adds unnecessary strain to your spine.

Repetitive Stress

Certain types of jobs require continually moving the body into a certain position in order to get the necessary tasks completed. A repetitive stress injury with the spine occurs when the back is overused or exerted by having to work harder than it should, stretch further than it should and take on more impact than it should. The stress of the spine isn't felt initially, but continued movements create constant stress which can cause damage.

The best way to reduce and even completely prevent repetitive stress injury on your back is to practice good body mechanics.

Good Body Mechanics

Body mechanics is the term used to describe the way the body moves. It involves a complex balance between the skeleton, muscles and tendons. Good body mechanics is the process of completing a task while putting as little strain on the skeleton, muscles and tendons as possible.

By Robin Khan

How You Can Avoid Injury in Any Sport

Sports are getting more attention and increased participation in recent years. Better programs have been in place for those who want to try out their skills in any sport, and there might just be a way for people who need to uncover their inner athletic abilities.

As interest in sports rises, so do the cases of injury. The good news is, 50% of all sports injuries can be avoided. Here are some useful tips and preventive strategies you can apply to ensure a good and safe game every time:

1. Ask your physician.

Don't get too excited about taking part in a physical sport. It is wise to ask your doctor about your plans. This is particularly advised for those who had medical issues in the past or are undergoing medication. Make sure you get properly evaluated physically before making that big leap. Remember, your passion for sports should make you a healthier, better person.

2. Prepare by getting in shape.

Prior to actually participating in any sport, it is best that you give your body the chance to be prepared for it. If you suddenly take part in a strenuous marathon without any experience or understanding of your body, you are in for a serious injury. Seek your doctor's or coach's advice, or ask your good, supportive friends about how to introduce the activity to your body by getting in shape.

3. Take easy, gradual steps.

No one succeeds overnight, not even the best athletes in the world. It takes a lot of effort, a lot of time and a lot of getting to know your body's strengths and weaknesses to become the real deal in your chosen sport. Start slow, and as time passes, increase the intensity of your routines and take the higher step toward reaching your athletic goals. It is never wise to "do too much too soon;" in fact, this is the perfect formula for injury.

4. Drop overconfidence.

Your passion and fervor for your selected sport may be commendable, but know your limits. Be where beginners should be, and adjust accordingly as you enter the intermediate to the advanced levels. When you think too highly of your skills, you risk suffering a case of serious injury. Don't overdo it; conquer one mountain at a time.

5. Wear the right sports gear.

Sports equipment and gear are not exactly for show. Well, some helmets, protective eyewear and mouth guards may be visually pleasing with all their styles and colors. Essentially, however, they are made to keep you protected. Wear them properly and at all times as required. It is also important that you keep such equipment in tiptop condition and change them as needed. Remember, it's not enough that you have all that you need to avoid injury; you need to make sure they work properly and are not broken or damaged.

By Dave E Carter

Five Extraordinary Bridge Moments

 

1. The Deadliest Game

In 1929, John and Myrtle Bennett of Kansas City invited their neighbours Charles and Myrna Hofman over for a friendly game of bridge. For the first couple of hours the Bennetts had the distinct upper hand. However, the Hofmans managed to catch up and were leading by a small margin when the fatal hand occurred. Mr Bennett overbid a 4 Spade contract, failed by two tricks and had the audacity to criticize his wife's bidding. This pushed Mrs Bennett over the edge and she subsequently shot her husband dead.

The jury chose to ignore the physical evidence of one dead husband, a pistol with her prints and multiple bullet holes and acquitted her (there were rumours that the presiding judge was a keen bridge player). She even managed to collect a sizeable insurance payment, but had trouble thereafter finding a bridge partner.

2. How a stick of Gum won a Bridge Tournament

In the final round of the 1934 Men's Pair New York Championship, Ely Culbertson partnered with Ted Lightner against Oswald Jacoby and David Burnstine. To win the championship, Lightner risked bidding 6 Spades with Culbertson to be dummy. Burnstine, knowing Culbertson's reluctance to wait, decided to take his time. He deliberately paused to take a stick of gum from his pocket, took it out of its wrapper and chewed it for a moment.

At this stage, Culbertson was in a heightened state of anticipation and was actually writhing in his seat. Burnstine hadn't decided what to lead and eventually threw the chewing-gum wrapper on the table. Quick as lightening, Culbertson threw his dummy on the table, realized his error and scooped them up. But it was too late - Burnstine had seen the cards, realized what was needed for a killer lead and defeated the contract.

3. The Alcatraz Coup

Alcatraz or "The Rock" is an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay that was a Federal prison until 1963. Supposedly contract bridge was very popular there and the term "Alcatraz coup" was coined. The "coup" is declarer's intentional and unethical attempt to locate a finessable card by revoking.

For example, South is declarer and holding the Ace, Jack, 10, 8 and 5 of Hearts in Dummy and the King, 9, 7 and 6 in his hand. He can't locate the Queen and doesn't want to risk a Finesse. Since he had no other losers he claims the remaining tricks, pretending that he has "forgotten" about the Queen. The Alcatraz Coup has just occurred.

Poor old West pipes up that declarer must play on, thus revealing that he must have the Queen. Treacherous. Everyone now knows that finessing West is a sure winner. In the outside world, a furious West would call for the tournament director. However, there were no such directors on the Rock, but you would imaging the guards would be called to calm the ensuing riot.

4. The Bermuda Foot-Tapping Scandal

The Bermuda Bowl is a biennial world championship contract bridge tournament for national teams. The best known controversy occurred in 1975 when it was held at home in Bermuda. While watching one of the Italian pairs, journalist Keidan reported that partners Gianfranco Facchini and Sergio Zucchelli were touching each other's shoes under the table in an apparent attempt to relay information about their hands.

This sinister discovery, which was confirmed by several witnesses, was presented to the presiding authorities of the event, who "severely reprimanded" Facchini and Zucchelli for their activity but allowed the players to continue competing in the event. However, to prevent any future temptation to foot-signal, the Bermuda Bowl authorities placed blocks underneath the tables.

5. The Buenos Aires Affair

In 1965, Britain's Terence Reese and Boris Schapiro were accused of cheating at the world championships in Buenos Aires. At a hearing held at the tournament, the World Bridge Federation found them guilty of transmitting finger signals to each other indicting how many hearts each held. Both players were banned for the remainder of the tournament. British captain Ralph Swimer forfeited all his team's matches and withdrew Great Britain from the competition.

This accusation, however, was mired in doubt. After many months of analysis the "Foster Enquiry" concluded that Reese and Schapiro had not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and therefore acquitted them. The British Bridge League eventually found Reese and Schapiro innocent of cheating; however, the World Bridge Federation found them guilty and banned them from WBF events for three years.

By Naomi Mooney

My Segway Rally Experience

Despite the fact that I've never been one for your every day motorsports, such as cars and motorbikes, I have always wanted to try out Segway driving, and so with my birthday fast approaching and my friends asking what I was doing to celebrate, I came up with the idea of a Segway rally experience.

I think the reason why I have always wanted to have a go at Segway driving is because of seeing people in films and TV shows just casually riding along on one... I can just picture a scene in my head - two people walking through a park and there's a couple of Segway drivers rocking along in the background looking all cool...

And you'll only see this on American shows and films too, and why's that? Well unfortunately it's illegal to ride a Segway on UK public roads and paths! So unless you've got a few thousands pounds and a large piece of private land to really have a go at whizzing about, there's only one way to get on one of these unique eco friendly vehicles - and that's through Segway gift experience days!

The Segway Experience

Seven of us turned up for the Segway rally and it was exciting the first time you got onto the vehicle. For a start, it was a lot studier than I thought it would be, so I didn't feel frightened about falling off easily. We were also kitted out in helmets, shin pads and elbow pads should we fall.

We were given full instructions on how to use the controls, and although it was a weird feeling to begin with, it wasn't too long until it started to feel more natural standing up right and moving.

The controls are very simple; it's just the fact you need to get over how strange it all feels! The Segway uses special technology, which means it can balance with the help of dual computers that run propriety software, two tilt sensors and five gyroscopic sensors, and so the machine can be driven and steered by sensing the shifting body weight of the driver - lean forward to go forwards, backwards to reverse and side-to-side to steer. The speed is also controlled by the change in the balance point.

After having a bit of practice and trying to make the machine glide along rather than judder, it was soon time to get competitive and spend the next half an hour racing my friends along the off road course that was situated in a sort of forest setting.

Ready, set, GO!

Hovering along and getting to grips with the various obstacles, humps and bumps on the pathway, as well as trying to perfect the corners without slowing down too much, made for a truly awesome rally experience!

Although it's fair to say that a Segway rally might not be as fast or demanding as, say karting for example, it's most certainly great fun and that thing can pick up some serious speeds, especially when you come to your last few laps and have got used to the controls.

Summary

Sadly, I didn't come first, but I did come in a respectful third, and as I keep telling my friends, next time I'll win!

There are loads of other ways of having a Segway experience, but the one that I would love to try out next is a Segway tour around a UK visitor attraction, and after that a city tour in somewhere like Florence or Paris! Maybe I'll let people know next time they are looking for gift ideas for my birthday.

By Shelly Carter

AussieGrit - A Look Back

The formidable Australian walked through the Formula One paddock for the last time in Brazil. Mark Webber has captured the hearts of Formula One fans all over the world through his 12 year period in the sport.
Mark's journey began in 2002 as a Minardi driver where he qualified in 18th place on his debut in front of what would become his adoring fans in Australia; but the story that weekend was not that he out qualified his team mate Alex Yoong in the same car on the Saturday, it was to be the stunning performance to keep his car out of trouble and steer it to an incredible fifth place securing 2 points for the team who had not scored a point in three years. Most Formula One fans will remember that Mark finished fifth in his first race more than they can remember who actually won that race. From that moment a new star was born.
The future looked positive for Webber, when Jaguar came and signed him for the 2003 season. However, Mark could only come close on certain occasions to snatching a podium in his time at Jaguar. As reliability cursed this bright new talent's ride to the top, as Mark found himself talking to press more halfway through the races rather than finishing them. Hope was beginning to fade for Mark Webber as a competitive drive was alluding him.
Despite the struggles at Jaguar, Mark's talent was not ignored as he joined one of the big name teams in Williams who had been a major force in Formula One for decades. Everyone in the paddock was expecting too finally see the best of Mark Webber who had shown glimpses of it when he could at Jaguar. All of the promises though came to nothing as Williams began to lose grip on the top teams in 2005 and Webber was finding himself back in the midfield. However, in Monaco we finally saw him take to the podium with a 3rd place finish.
It was not until he moved to Red Bull in 2007 that we would see the best of Mark. He had to patiently wait for two years until he finally had a car ready to win in 2009. The race win eventually came at the German Grand Prix when even a drive through penalty was not going to stop Mark from picking up his maiden win in Formula One. We all remember that famous piece of team radio after that race with Mark Webber screaming yes down the radio. All the hard work, all the pain of missing out at Jaguar and Williams had finally escaped him when he crossed the line in Nurburgring.
It was not really Mark's talent and determination that made Formula One fans love him. It was the fact that he wore his heart on his sleeve and said whatever he liked to the media. That's why he had such a big following for the 2010 season, especially after the front wing scandal at Red Bull at Silverstone in qualifying. Mark Webber went onto win that race with the famous piece of team radio "Not bad for a number 2 driver". That day won Webber a lot of fans. Sadly Webber was not able to take the title that year. He may have never won a world championships but he will forever be the people's champion.

By Jack M Giordmaina 

Parent Alert: Making Dance Classes A Positive Experience For Your Child

Looking for a way to get your child active? It may be time to consider dance classes in your area. Not only do dance classes offer a fun way to get your little one moving, they also deliver an extensive range of other benefits as well. Strengthening social skills, building a competitive spirit and learning how to master various life challenges are just some of the many ways that dance classes can change a youngster's experience, both inside and outside of the studio.

Dance Classes: Setting Your Child Up For Optimal Success

As a parent, you'll play a key part (at least initially) in the overall experience your child will have taking dance classes. While this is a responsibility, it's important not to feel burdened by your parenting role in the studio. Understanding a few simple tips can help give you the tools you'll need for optimal success with the dancing programs you choose. When considering signing your little one up for dancing programs, it's important to:

Wait until your child is ready: Oftentimes, parents assume that starting their children in a dancing program as early as possible will set them up for long-term success. This, however, isn't necessarily true. Waiting until you see definitive signs of maturity in your young, would-be dancer can help start your experience off on the right note.

Find the right studio: What's the best way to reinforce a positive dancing experience for your little one? Find a studio qualified to train and teach young children. Do you research by asking parents you trust and/or asking for a free trial class to ensure that you're choosing the right environment for the best results.

Choose a suitable genre: Not every dancing genre suits every young dancer. Ballet, tap, and hip-hop all require their own distinctive forms of attention, focus, dedication and energy. While you should consider your child's input when putting together a program, ultimately, you know what type of engagement level is needed for optimal success. If you're uncertain about a certain style, ask the class instructors; they'll have the experience needed to help you make a final decision.

Get the right gear: Just like any other physically challenging activity, dance classes often have their own requirements for what to wear. Consult with the teachers at your studio to make sure you have the right wardrobe based on the classes your young dancer is taking. The right clothing not only helps keep your student comfortable and free from injury, but it can also keep the experience fun and engaging.

Focus on the fun: Yes, you may have dreams of your child someday becoming a prima ballerina with a world-renowned troupe. And yes, that may actually happen. However, taking dance classes at a young age should be all about the fun! Help your little one stay focused on all the exciting new moves and methods he or she will be learning. Making fun a top priority is one of the best ways to keep your dancer engaged and help develop a long-term love for dancing.

By Chris A. Harmen

San Diego Water Sports

As the summer season kicks in, the time to plan your next relaxing vacation has come. American residents have plenty of choices to pick from, including the scenic Bahamas, the picturesque Hawaii, the dynamic Las Vegas and the amazing San Diego.

San Diego Water Adventures

San Diego is home to numerous tourist attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and the San Diego Air and Space Museum. San Diego is also one of the fabulous California cities where you can indulge in adrenaline-stimulating water adventures, and live life to the fullest.

From adventurous scuba-diving activities to relaxing swimming sessions and uplifting boat trips, the city has so much to offer to those who want to live their summer getaway to the max.

San Diego water adventures often require the rental of special equipment, such as jet ski, boats and scuba diving tools, and all you need to do is identify the best combo of affordability and quality that will match your needs. Of course, keep in mind that equipment rentals may be costly and you should allocate a portion of your budget to that.

San Diego Water Adventures - Examples

For all adventure lovers who want to experience the most exciting aspect of the sunny city, there is a variety of snorkeling tours that can give them the opportunity to enjoy observation of leopard sharks in the La Jolla area. You should go on a snorkeling mission and ''meet'' the friendly sharks. Snorkeling will also give you the chance to interact with some of the greatest representatives of California's aqua universe.

You can also enjoy all that the sunny city has to offer through jet ski tours and boating tours.

Kayaking will give you the chance to relish in the incredible views around the city's remarkable coastline and play actively in the water, while increasing your adrenaline levels to the max.

Feel the rhythm of the ocean waves and embark on a surfing adventure in the open ocean waters. You cannot believe how much your surfing activities will help you in the release of your stress and negative energy.

Water sports can stimulate your body and mind, and distract you from your daily routine. You should definitely try to dedicate a portion of your vacation getaway to water adventures, and San Diego is one of the best cities in the US for aqua pleasures. Don't forget to arrange all details in advance, and to make sure that you have sufficient time and budget to indulge yourself in the planned happy moments.

By Dana MClaren